Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide. In Asian and western Pacific countries where HBV is endemic, estimated prevalence of chronic HBV infection ranges from 2.4% to 16.0%, and liver cancer is a leading cause of mortality. It is believed that Asians and Pacific Islanders (A/PIs) living in the United States constitute a sizeable percentage of persons with chronic HBV infection in this country. A seroprevalence study among persons who participated in an ongoing hepatitis B screening, evaluation, and treatment program was conducted in New York City. The results indicated that 15% of participants who had not been previously tested had chronic HBV infection; all were born outside the United States. Screening programs in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and California have reported similar prevalence of chronic HBV infection among A/PI immigrants to the United States. Screening programs are needed in communities with A/PI populations to identify persons with chronic HBV infection, and medical providers who serve US A/PI populations and high proportions of persons born in countries where HBV infection is endemic should promote educational campaigns and screening programs.
(Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 12, 2006)
